Whip-socket



(No Moda.)

P. STOOKEY. WHIP SOCKET. No. 549,299. Patented Nov. 5, 1895.

l IILHII UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PETER STOOKEY, OF FRANKFORT, OHIO.

WHIP-SOCKET.

SPECIFICATION forming 'peftef Lettere Patent Ne. 549,299, dated November 5, 1895. Application filed August 23, 1895. Serial No. 560,264. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern,.- V

Be it known that I, PETER STOOKEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Frankfort, in the county of Ross and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Whip-Socket, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to whip-sockets, and particularly to improved means for locking the whip therein to prevent it being stolen or removed during the drivers absence.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete whip-socket embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 3 is a rear viewy in elevation of the lock-plate, showing the parts in locking position. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing the parts of the lock in unlocked position.

Referring now to the drawings by numerals, 1 designates the ordinary tubular whipsocket to be secured to the vehicle by any well-known means, as bolts or straps 2. Removably secured to the front of socket 1 is lock-plate 3, which is provided with the longitudinal recess 4 and offset 5 to suitably hold the lock members. This plate 3 is also perforated at 6 to receive the ratchet-shaft 8, presently to be described. Placed lengthwise of recess 4 and medially thereof is a bolt or pawl 9, preferably iiat and standing edgewise, pivoted at its lower end to post 10, and when in locking position held against post 12 by means of the coiled spring 13, which bears in socket 14, formed in wall 15 of said recess 4. Spring 13 is retained in place by means of the lug or spur 16 projecting from the outer side of pawl 9. Lying adjacent to the inner side of pawl 9 and in loose engagement therewith is an operating bar or tumbler 17, which plays reciprocally in the space between said pawl 9 and the inner wall of recess 4. This tumbler 17 is provided with a lifting wedgepiece 18 on its outer side, tapering downward, which engages pawl 9 and is adapted to rest in the socket or mortise 19 formed in said pawl when the latter is in locking position. A shoulder 20 is formed on the outer side of tumbler 17, which abuts against post 12 when the tumbler is raised, and on the inner side of said tumbler two lugs or shoulders 21 are provided, which also limit the longitudinal movement thereof by coming into contact with the respective ends of recess 5. Between lugs 21 a suitable cam 22 is formed to receive the tang 23 of key 24, which is inserted through keyhole 25, by means of which cam and tang the tumbler is reciprocated. A leaf-spring 26, fixed to the outer wall of recess 4 at 27, is provided to bear against the lower end of tumbler 17 to aid in holding it in its various positions. Lock plate 3 rests against back plate 28, which may be attached to the whip-socket or formed integrally therewith and is provided with a suitable key-post 29 to guide key 24. At its upper end a vertical slot 30 is formed in central alignment with perforation 6 and connects at its upper end with a similar perforation 31, which eX- tends through into the socket.

The device to clamp the whip consists of a clamping-plate 32 with its face hollowed to correspond to the curvature of the whip and placed centrally across the end of post 33, which is prevented from turning by being provided with a squared portion 34, adapted to rest in slot 30. Post 33 is screw-threaded at 35 to enter ratchet-shaft 8. Said shaft 8 carries ratchet-wheel 36 on its inner end, while its outer end is adapted to receive the operating-knob 37, and may be squared to enter a correspondingly-formed socket in said knob, so as to secure more rigid union, a setscrew 3S being employed to connect the two parts. Between the squared shank of shaft 8 and the ratchet-wheel there is preferably formed a hub 39 to snugly iit perforation 6. Said ratchet-wheel occupies annular recess 40 in proper operative. relation to pawl 9. The lock members being properly assembled in theirrespective recesses in lock-plate 3, clamping-plate 32 is inserted through perforation 31, and the squared shaft 34 is then slid down into slot 30 until the bolt-holes of the lock-plate align with those in the socket proper, and the lock is then made secure by tightening said bolts.

The operation of my invention is simple. Vhen it is desired to fasten the whip in the socket, knob 37 is turned over to the right until clamping-'plate 32 is projected by means of threaded portion 35 tightly against the tapered whip-handle. As the knob turns, the pawl 9 clicks over the ratchet-teeth of wheel 36 and prevents the same from being turned IOO back. New the whip cannot be released excepting by means of key 2l, which is inserted in keyhole 25, and by means of cam 22 moves tumbler 17 downward, bringing wedge 1S into action against pawl 9 until the latter is moved out of engagement with the ratchetteeth, leaving the knob 37 free to be reversed and the clamping-plate retracted.

Various changes in form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing' any of the advantages of this invention.

"hat I claim isl. In a whip socket, the combination with a tubular socket, of a clamping pla-te and post arranged transversely thereto and longitudinally movable by means of a screw threaded portion, suitable operating means therefor, pawl and ratchet mechanism by means of which inward movement of said plate is permitted but outward movement is prevented, and suitable releasing means for throwing said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet, so that outward movement of said plate may take place, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a whip socket, the combination with a tubular socket, of a clamping plate and post arranged transversely thereto and longitudinally movable, suitable operating means therefor, pawl and ratchet mechanism by means of which inward movement of said plate is permitted but outward movement is prevented, and suitable releasing means for throwing said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet, said means consisting of a reciprocating tumbler, so that outward movement of said plate may take place, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a whip socket, the combination with a tubular socket, of a clamping plate and post arranged transversely thereto and longitudinally movable by means of a screw threaded portion, suitable operating means therefor, pawl and ratchet mechanism by means of which inward movement of said plate is permitted but outward movement is prevented, and suitable releasing means for throwing said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet, so that outward movement of said plate may take place, said means consisting of a sliding tumbler provided with a wedge and arranged to be operated by a key, whereby the whip may be secured at any time, but cannot be released without the key, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. In a whip socket, the combination with a tubular socket, of a back plate attached to said socket and provided with a slot in its upper portion connected with a suitable perforation through said socket, a lock plate adapted to rest on and be fastened to said back plate, and provided with suitable recesses and perforations to receive a lock, said lock comprising a sliding tumbler provided with a wedge, a spring to retain said tumbler, a spring pressed pawl adapted to be operated by said wedge, a ratchet wheel adapted to be engaged by said pawl and provided with a hollow screw threaded shaft, adapted to project through a perforation in alignment with the aforesaid slot, a clamping plate transversely formed on the end of a post, said post being threaded to enter said shaft and provided with a squared portion adapted to fit said slot, whereby rotary motion thereof is prevented, and an operating handle adapted to be secured to said shaft, all arranged so that said clamping plate maybe freely moved inwardly but cannot be retracted without first releasing said pawl from said ratchet, whereby a whip may be securely locked in place against unauthorized removal, substantially as described.

In testimony that l claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

PETER ,TOOKEY lVitnesses:

ROBERT F. DICKEY, J AMES M. WIscnAR'r. 

